Introduction
Community Planning efforts are a function of the Planning Services Division of the Department of Planning and Inspections.
Community Planning Overview
The Planning Services Section is responsible for a variety of Community Planning activities, ranging from long-range, community wide plans to small area and special plans. Community Planning affects the quality of life in Wake Forest with focused efforts accommodate growth, sustain the small town charm of Wake Forest and support a vibrant and revitalized downtown.
COMMUNITY PLANS AND ACTIVITIES
Comprehensive Planning
The Wake Forest Community Plan is a document crafted to create a broad vision for Wake Forest’s future. Twelve vision statements depict a clear picture of where the Town of Wake Forest would like to be in the year 2025 (the plan horizon year). The vision statements were drafted by the consultant and the steering committee based on citizen input gathered at the special town meetings. This plan is nearing completion and will form the basis for development regulations and guides budget decisions to achieve the goals of the plan.
Corridor Planning
Wake Forest has developed special corridor plans to address the function and aesthetics of development along major transportation corridors, including automobile oriented Capital Boulevard (US-1) Corridor and the more community oriented NC98 Bypass Corridor.
Small Area Planning
Small area plans are developed to bring attention and resources to areas of special concern. Wake Forest worked with the residents of the East End community to develop the Northeast Neighborhood Plan and many of the short term implementation strategies are already accomplished. The Renaissance Plan for the Heart of Wake Forest, an award winning special area plan developed to guide development and funding decisions, is now in the implementation stages with the Town of Wake Forest, downtown merchants and property owners, Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Revitalization Corporation working to sustain the historic core of downtown Wake Forest. The Franklin Street median and roundabouts, White Street Streetscape project and new Town Hall construction are Renaissance Plan projects representing over $20 million in investment.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Hazard Mitigation Plan seeks to make Wake Forest a safer community by identifying vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies. In the upcoming year, the Planning Services Section will begin an update of the plan. Drought vulnerability will be addressed in this update.
Regional Planning
The Planning Service Section works with other nearby jurisdictions to coordinate planning activities of mutual interest, particularly related to transportation, greenways and land use. Staff is currently working with the City of Raleigh to coordinate a Smith Creek Greenway trail connection to the City of Raleigh Neuse River Trail, a 28 mile trail proposed to extend from Falls Lake Dam to the Johnston County line. Staff also attends Franklin County Community and Transportation Plan committee meetings to provide for regional considerations in the planning process. Membership and participation in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization assures Wake Forest’s interests are considered in local, state, and federal transportation planning and funding decisions.
Downtown Revitalization
Support for downtown Wake Forest is a primary responsibility. Supporting activities include market studies and analysis, mapping and data support, and coordination with the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation (DRC) and Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce.
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Wake Forest supports excellent and necessary wireless telecommunications facilities. Staff works with a consulting firm to thoroughly and efficiently review applications for antenna co-location on existing towers and new tower proposals. Wake Forest’s goal is to support these important services and respect the community aesthetic with as few new towers as are needed, sized to provide for multiple antennae, and with an overall facility height that is not significantly above the tree line.
Urban Design
New development and redevelopment proposals are reviewed under design guidelines for historic properties or for all non-residential development throughout the community. Wake Forest strives to preserve the historic beauty of homes and buildings in the historic districts and to achieve new developments that represent the character of the community. Designers are encouraged to visit Wake Forest to observe the architectural features that make Wake Forest unique before submitting building elevations. Rather than approving buildings that are solely representative of the tenants they house, Wake Forest requires development that respects the Wake Forest context. Modifications are made to prototype designs to incorporate local architectural details and high quality building materials to produce valuable buildings to the benefit of Wake Forest and the businesses.
Public Art Vision Plan
The Planning Services Section submitted an application to the North Carolina Public Arts Council and was awarded a grant to develop a Public Art Vision Plan. With the assistance of a talented pubic arts consultant, the Town of Wake Forest, the DRC and the Wake Forest Cultural Arts Alliance (Alliance) are embarking on a collaborative process to create a Public Art Vision Plan for the Town of Wake Forest and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. A steering committee, the Public Art Team (PAT) will meet with the consultant hired to develop the Vision Plan. The PAT will form an ambassador program utilizing members to take the developing vision plan to business, civic and neighborhood groups they associate with and to be facilitators at public meetings to achieve rich public involvement and a vision plan that represents the people of Wake Forest.
Staff Contact
Chip Russell, Planning Director
(919) 435-9511
crussell@wakeforestnc.gov